U.S. patent application number 12/331602 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-18 for active integrated well completion method and system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Dinesh R. Patel.
Application Number | 20090151950 12/331602 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40289856 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090151950 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patel; Dinesh R. |
June 18, 2009 |
ACTIVE INTEGRATED WELL COMPLETION METHOD AND SYSTEM
Abstract
A well system may be provided comprising a first primary
inductive coupler configured to be communicably coupled to a
surface device and a first secondary inductive coupler. The first
secondary inductive coupler may be further configured to be
communicably coupled to one or more completion components provided
in a first portion of the well. In addition, the well system may
comprise a second primary inductive coupler configured to be
communicably coupled to the surface device and a second secondary
induction coupler. The second secondary inductive coupler may be
further configured to be communicably coupled to one or more
completion components provided in a second portion of the well. The
flow through at least one of the first and second portions of the
well may be adjusted via at least one of the one or more completion
components. A method for completing a well comprising inductive
couplers may also be provided.
Inventors: |
Patel; Dinesh R.; (Sugar
Land, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHLUMBERGER RESERVOIR COMPLETIONS
14910 AIRLINE ROAD
ROSHARON
TX
77583
US
|
Assignee: |
SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY
CORPORATION
SUGAR LAND
TX
|
Family ID: |
40289856 |
Appl. No.: |
12/331602 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61013068 |
Dec 12, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/298 ;
166/244.1; 166/65.1; 166/66.6; 175/61; 340/853.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 41/0035 20130101;
E21B 47/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/298 ;
166/65.1; 166/66.6; 166/244.1; 175/61; 340/853.1 |
International
Class: |
E21B 43/00 20060101
E21B043/00; E21B 17/00 20060101 E21B017/00; E21B 7/06 20060101
E21B007/06; E21B 43/11 20060101 E21B043/11; E21B 34/16 20060101
E21B034/16 |
Claims
1. A well system for a well, comprising: a first primary inductive
coupler communicably configured to be coupled to a surface device;
a first secondary inductive coupler configured to be communicably
coupled to the first primary inductive coupler and further
configured to be communicably coupled to one or more completion
components provided in a first portion of the well; a second
primary inductive coupler configured to be communicably coupled to
the surface device; a second secondary induction coupler configured
to be communicably coupled to the second primary inductive coupler
and further configured to be communicably coupled to one or more
completion components provided in a second portion of the well;
wherein flow through at least one of the first and second portions
of the well is adjusted via at least one of the one or more
completion components.
2. The well system as described in claim 1 wherein the first
portion of the well is a multilateral branch and the second portion
of the well is located below a multilateral branch junction.
3. The well system as described in claim 1 wherein the first
portion of the well is a first zone and the second portion of the
well is a second zone in the same bore.
4. The well system as described in claim 1 wherein the at least one
of the one or more completion components is an active flow control
device.
5. The well system as described in claim 1 wherein the first and
second primary inductive couplers are configured to be communicably
coupled to the surface device via a cable provided proximate to an
exterior of a casing.
6. The well system as described in claim 1 wherein the first and
second primary inductive couplers are coupled to a casing and are
run in the hole with the casing.
7. The well system as described in claim 1 wherein the first
primary inductive coupler is configured to be communicably coupled
to the surface device via a first cable provided proximate to an
exterior of a casing; and wherein the second primary inductive
coupler is configured to be communicably coupled to the surface
device via a second cable provided proximate to the exterior of the
casing.
8. The well system as described in claim 1 wherein the first and
second primary inductive couplers are configured to be communicably
coupled to the surface device via at least one electronic control
module.
9. The well system as described in claim 1 wherein at least one of
the one or more completion components is a sensor.
10. The well system as described in claim 1 wherein at least one of
the one or more completion components is an energy storage
device.
11. A well system for a well, comprising: a first main secondary
inductive coupler configured to be communicably coupled to a
surface device; a first main primary inductive coupler configured
to be communicably coupled to the first main secondary inductive
coupler and further configured to be communicably coupled to a
first primary inductive coupler and a second primary inductive
coupler; a first secondary inductive coupler configured to be
communicably coupled to the first primary inductive coupler and to
one or more completion components provided in a first portion of
the well; a second secondary inductive coupler configured to be
communicably coupled to the second primary inductive coupler and to
one or more completion components provided in a second portion of
the well; wherein flow through at least one of the first and second
portions of the well is adjusted via at least one of the one or
more completion components.
12. The well system as described in claim 11 wherein the first
portion of the well is a multilateral branch and the second portion
of the well is located below a multilateral branch junction.
13. The well system as described in claim 11 wherein the first
portion of the well is a first zone and the second portion of the
well is a second zone in the same bore.
14. The well system as described in claim 11 wherein the at least
one of the one or more completion components is an active inflow
control device.
15. The well system as described in claim 11 wherein the first main
primary inductive coupler is configured to be communicably coupled
to the first primary inductive coupler via a first cable; and
wherein the first main primary inductive coupler is configured to
be communicably coupled to the second primary inductive coupler via
a second cable.
16. A well system for a well, comprising: a first main secondary
inductive coupler configured to be communicably coupled to a
surface device; a second main secondary inductive coupler
configured to be communicably coupled to a surface device; a first
main primary inductive coupler configured to be communicably
coupled to the first main secondary inductive coupler and further
configured to be communicably coupled to a first primary inductive
coupler; a second main primary inductive coupler configured to be
communicably coupled to the second main secondary inductive coupler
and further configured to be communicably coupled to a second
primary inductive coupler; a first secondary inductive coupler
configured to be communicably coupled the first primary inductive
coupler and to one or more completion components provided in a
first portion of the well; a second secondary inductive coupler
configured to be communicably coupled to the second primary
inductive coupler and to one or more completion components provided
in a second portion of the well; and wherein flow through at least
one of the first and second portions of the well is adjusted via at
least one of the one or more completion components.
17. The well system as described in claim 16, wherein the first
main secondary inductive coupler is configured to be communicably
coupled to the surface device via a first cable; and wherein the
second main secondary inductive coupler is configured to be
communicably coupled to the surface device via a second cable.
18. The well system as described in claim 17, wherein the first and
second cables are provided proximate to an exterior surface of
production tubing.
19. A method of completing a multilateral well comprising: drilling
a mother bore and running a lower bore completion; locating a
deflector above the lower bore completion using a first indexed
casing component; drilling a multilateral bore and running a
multilateral bore completion; locating a liner above the deflector
using a second indexed casing component; creating an orifice in the
liner and the deflector to establish a fluid pathway there through;
wherein at least one completion component in the lower bore
completion and the multilateral completion is configured to be
communicably coupled to a surface device via an inductive
coupler.
20. The method as described in claim 19 wherein creating an orifice
comprises perforating the liner and the deflector.
21. The method as described in claim 19 wherein creating an orifice
comprises milling through the liner and the deflector.
22. A method of completing a multilateral well comprising: drilling
a mother bore and running a lower bore completion; locating a
pre-perforated deflector above the lower bore completion using a
first indexed casing component; drilling a multilateral bore and
running a multilateral bore completion; locating a pre-perforated
liner above the pre-perforated deflector using a second indexed
casing component; wherein at least one completion component in the
lower bore completion and the multilateral completion is configured
to be communicably coupled to a surface device via an inductive
coupler.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/948,177, entitled "Flow Control Assembly Having a Fixed Flow
Control Device and An Adjustable Flow Control Device," filed Nov.
30, 2007, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/948,201, entitled
"Providing a Removable Electrical Pump in a Completion System,"
filed Nov. 30, 2007, both of which claim priority to U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/894,495, entitled "Method and
Apparatus for an Active Integrated Well Construction and Completion
System for Maximum Reservoir Contact and Hydrocarbon Recovery,"
filed Mar. 13, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
60/895,555, entitled "Method and Apparatus for an Active Integrated
Well Construction and Completion System for Maximum Reservoir
Contact and Hydrocarbon Recovery," filed Mar. 30, 2007; each of
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This
application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/013,068, entitled "Method and Apparatus for
an Active Integrated Well Construction and Completion System for
Maximum Reservoir Contact and Hydrocarbon Recovery," filed Dec. 12,
2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an
integrated intelligent completion system configured to provide
increased reservoir contact for facilitating reservoir drainage and
hydrocarbon recovery from a well. Specifically, some embodiments of
the well system may include wireless communication and control and
be configured as multiple sections in a single bore, a bore with
one or more multilateral branch sections, or a combination of the
various configurations.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The following descriptions and examples are not admitted to
be prior art by virtue of their inclusion in this section.
[0006] Maximum and extreme reservoir contact wells are drilled and
completed with respect to maximizing total hydrocarbon recovery.
These wells may be long and horizontal, and in some cases may have
several multilateral branches. Sensors and flow control valves may
be used for measurement and flow control in order to optimize
recovery from the wells.
[0007] Flow control valves and sensors may be run in the mother
bore for reservoir monitoring and flow control from the mother bore
as well from the multilateral branches. Typically an electrical
cable or hydraulic control line is run from the surface to supply
power and provide communication to sensors and a flow control
valve. Sometimes more than one set of sensors and flow control
valves may be run in a mother bore in a reservoir having multiple
zones. However, only one flow control valve and sensor set is run
per multilateral branch in the mother bore. Running multiple flow
control valves and sensors in the mother bore and establishing a
physical connection such as an electrical and hydraulic wet connect
between the mother bore and lateral branch is not done due to the
complexity of establishing the connections and concern for poor
reliability.
[0008] As a result, there is a need for an integrated well
construction, drilling and completion system configured to maximize
total hydrocarbon recovery.
SUMMARY
[0009] In general, the present invention provides an integrated
well construction, drilling and completion system configured to
maximize total hydrocarbon recovery. The completion system may
provide segments of wireless communication between an upper
completion and the valves and sensors located in the lower
completion, or between the mother bore and the valves and sensors
located in one of the lateral branches. An autonomous power supply
may be provided in each multilateral branch in order to power the
sensors and flow control valves therein since there is no direct
physical connection between the communication and power system of
the mother bore and the corresponding systems of the various
multilateral branches.
[0010] More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention
provides a downhole communication system for a completed wellbore
having a mother bore and at least one lateral branch, wherein at
least one of the communication system segments of the lateral
branches or downhole sections is not physically connected to a
corresponding communications segment of the mother bore (e.g., via
an electrical or hydraulic wet connection for example, among other
types of physical connections). The system may include an upper
two-way inductive coupler disposed within the mother bore and
connected to a first power source, and at least two lower two-way
inductive couplers disposed within the completed wellbore wherein
at least one of the lower two-way inductive couplers may be
disposed within each of the lateral branches or lower downhole
sections. The system may also include at least one sensor adapted
to measure downhole parameters and communicably coupled to the
upper two-way inductive coupler or the lower two-way inductive
couplers, and at least one flow control valve communicably coupled
to the upper two-way inductive coupler or the lower two-way
inductive couplers.
[0011] Other or alternative features will become apparent from the
following description, from the drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Certain embodiments of the invention will hereafter be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood,
however, that the accompanying drawings illustrate only the various
implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the
scope of various described technologies described. The drawings are
as follows:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a well system
with a multilateral branch and a single cable communicably coupled
to one or more primary inductive couplers and located outside of
casing, in which the primary inductive couplers are run in hole as
part of the casing string, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a well system
with a multilateral branch and two cables respectively communicably
coupled to corresponding primary inductive couplers and located
outside of casing, in which the primary inductive couplers are run
in hole as part of the casing string, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a well system
with a multilateral branch and a single cable communicably coupled
to a main secondary inductive coupler and located outside of
production tubing, in which the main secondary inductive coupler is
ran in hole as part of the tubing string, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a well system
with a multilateral branch and a single cable communicably coupled
to a main secondary inductive coupler and located outside of
production tubing, in which individual cables are communicably
coupled to each of the primary inductive couplers located outside
of casing and run in hole as part of the casing string, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a well system
with a multilateral branch and two cables respectively communicably
coupled to first and second main secondary inductive couplers
located outside of the production tubing, in which individual
cables are communicatively coupled to each of the primary inductive
couplers located outside of casing and run in hole as part of the
casing string, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional schematic view of a well system
with a multilateral branch in which a lower mother bore section is
not in fluid communication with an upper mother bore section, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional schematic view of a well system
with a multilateral branch in which a liner and deflector has been
perforated in order to establish a fluid pathway there through, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional schematic view of a well system
with a multilateral branch in which a lower mother bore section is
not in fluid communication with an upper mother bore section, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional schematic view of a well system
with a multilateral branch in which a liner and deflector have been
milled through in order to establish a fluid pathway there through,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
[0022] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a well system
with a multilateral branch in which a pre-perforated liner and
deflector have been used in order to establish a fluid pathway
there through, in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In the following description, numerous details are set forth
to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without these details and that numerous
variations or modifications from the described embodiments are
possible.
[0024] As used here, the terms "up" and "down"; "upper" and
"lower"; "upwardly" and "downwardly"; "below" and "above"; and
other similar terms indicating relative positions above or below a
given point or element may be used in connection with some
implementations of various technologies described herein. However,
when applied to equipment and methods for use in wells that are
deviated or horizontal, or when applied to equipment and methods
that when arranged in a well are in a deviated or horizontal
orientation, such terms may refer to a left to right, right to
left, or other relationships such as upstream or downstream as
appropriate. In the specification and appended claims: the terms
"connect", "connection", "connected", "in connection with",
"connecting", "couple", "coupled", and "coupling" are used to mean
"in direct connection with" or "in connection with via another
element"; and the term "set" is used to mean "one element" or "more
than one element". Further, the terms "communicably coupled" may
mean "electrically or inductively coupled" for the purposes of
passing data and power either directly or indirectly between two
points.
[0025] Embodiments of the present invention may generally relate to
an integrated completion system configured to provide increased
reservoir contact for facilitating reservoir drainage and
maximizing ultimate hydrocarbon recovery from a well. The well may
include a single bore, such as a long horizontal section, one or
more multilateral branch sections, or a combination of
configurations. Where the well passes through the reservoir, the
reservoir section of the well may be compartmentalized into one or
more zones. Each compartment of the reservoir section may be
isolated from one another through the use of reservoir isolation
devices (e.g., swell packers, chemical packers, or mechanical
packers, among others). One or more active flow control devices
(FCDs) and/or desired measurement sensors (e.g pressure,
temperature, flow, fluid identification, flow control valve
position, density, chemical, pH, viscosity, or acoustic, among
others) may be run with the completion in order to manage each
compartment or multiple compartments in real time from the drilling
surface without requiring an intervention.
[0026] Active FCDs in some embodiments may mean FCDs that are
adjustable after running downhole. For example, a hydraulically,
electrically, or electromechanically controlled variable choke may
be one embodiment of an active FCD, although the current invention
may not be limited to this one illustrative example. Passive FCDs
in some embodiments may include flow control devices that are
initially configured at the surface and retain their settings after
run in or systems that react to the surrounding environment, such
as chokes that have a perforated swellable material that is
configured to shut off inflow through the choke in the presence of
water for example, although the current invention may not be
limited to these illustrative examples. In addition, one or more
screens may also be run in the completion across the formations and
configured to filtrate solids or other particulate
contaminates.
[0027] One or more electric cables and/or hydraulic control lines
from the drilling surface may be run to provide communication and
power to each active FCD and sensor, as needed. Exemplary
embodiments may route the data and command communications and power
supplies between the mother bore and the various multilateral
branches through the use of one or more inductive couplers.
Additionally, other embodiments of the present invention detail a
method for constructing a multilateral junction and running the
completions in the mother bore and in the multilateral
branches.
[0028] An exemplary embodiment of some aspects of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 1. In this figure, a well system 100 may
comprise an upper mother bore section 12, a lower mother bore
section 14 and a single multilateral branch section 16. Only one
multilateral branch section 16 is shown in order to simplify the
detailed description. A person of skill in the art will recognize
that aspects of the present invention may also be applied to two or
more multilateral branch sections, a single mother bore with
multiple compartments or zones, or various combinations of
configurations as appropriate.
[0029] In this illustrative embodiment, a communications and/or
power cable 24 configured to be communicably coupled to a surface
device 5 may be run along with casing 20. The surface device 5 may
be a monitoring and/or control station for example. In other
embodiments, the surface device 5 may be located intermediate to
the location of the two-way inductive couplers and the drilling
surface of the well. In still other embodiments, the surface device
5 may be a transmitter/receiver configured to allow for monitoring
and control of the well from a remote site. The surface device 5
may be provided at a terrestrial or subsea location. In other
embodiments, multiple well systems may be communicably coupled to a
single surface device 5. The surface device 5 may further comprise
multiple components or a single component.
[0030] A single common cable 24 may extend along the exterior of
the casing 20 and be configured to be communicably coupled with one
or more primary inductive couplers 30. Two sets of primary
inductive couplers are illustrated in this embodiment as female
inductive couplers provided on the exterior of the casing 20. The
primary inductive couplers 30 may be run with casing 20 as part of
the casing string. One upper primary inductive coupler 30A may be
provided upstream of the multilateral branch junction and
communicably coupled to various components of the completion
located in the multilateral branch section 16, and one lower
primary inductive coupler 30B may be provided downstream of the
multilateral branch junction and communicably coupled to the
various components of the completion located in the lower mother
bore section 14.
[0031] A lower mother bore completion 40 including lower secondary
inductive couplers 34B(shown in this illustrative embodiment as a
male inductive coupler), screens 42, isolation packers 44, active
FCDs 46, and sensors 48 may be run below the multilateral branch
section 16 and extend beyond the end of the cemented casing 20 into
the lower open hole bore 50. Although only active FCDs 46 are shown
in this figure, both active and passive FCDs may be used either
singly or in combination with one another. In some embodiments, no
FCDs may be present in a particular section, only a sensor or other
powered component. Additionally, active FCDs 46 and sensors 48 may
be used either singly or in combination with one another as
appropriate. Some embodiments may include downhole energy storage
devices (e.g., batteries, capacitors, resilient members, among
others) in order to provide operating power for actuating a valve
or other form of FCD for example, or other downhole component,
based on a signal communicated via the inductive couplers. In other
cases, downhole energy storage devices will provide power for
sensors used to measure various well parameters.
[0032] The lower secondary inductive couplers 34B may be
communicably coupled to the active FCDs 46 and sensors 48 via a
lower mother bore cable 47. The lower mother bore cable 47 may
provide access to communication, power, or both to the active FCDs
46 and sensors 48 as needed. The primary and corresponding
secondary inductive couplers 30B and 34B of the downstream set of
inductive couplers may ultimately communicably couple the active
FCDs 46 and sensors 48 via the single common cable 24 to the
surface device 5. A deflector may further be run to just upstream
of the lower mother bore completion 40 and aligned with indexed
casing couplers (ICC) to facilitate the drilling of a multilateral
branch section 16.
[0033] Two lower mother bore completion zones are illustrated in
the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Each completion zone may
include some or all of a screen 42, an active FCD 46, and a sensor
48, among other downhole components such as an energy storage
device for example. The zones may be independently controlled in
order to maximize hydrocarbon production while minimizing water
inflow or equalizing production across the lower mother bore
section. As shown in the figure, the zones may compartmentalize the
lower open hole bore 50 via the use of one or more isolation
packers 44.
[0034] The multilateral branch section 16 may be formed using the
deflector located above the lower mother bore completion 40. A
multilateral branch completion 60 including screen 62, isolation
packers 64, bull nose 65, active FCD 66, and sensor 68 may be run
in the multilateral open hole 70 of the multilateral branch section
16. As with the lower mother bore completion 40, both active and
passive FCDs may be used either singly or in combination with one
another. Additionally, the active FCD 66 and sensor 68 may be used
either singly or in combination with one another.
[0035] In this exemplary embodiment, only one completion zone is
illustrated as being provided in the multilateral branch section
16. Each completion zone may include some or all of a screen 62, an
active FCD 66 and a sensor 68, among other downhole components such
as an energy storage device for example. In some cases, multiple
compartmentalized zones may be provided in a single multilateral
branch. As shown in the figure, the zones may compartmentalize the
multilateral open hole bore 70 via the use of one or more isolation
packers 64.
[0036] The multilateral branch completion 60 may further include a
multilateral liner 69 coupled through the use of a swivel to the
remaining multilateral branch completion components. In some cases,
the liner 60 may comprise a pre-milled window allowing fluid
communication with the lower mother bore section 14. The liner 69
may be aligned and located in the casing 20 using ICCs. The liner
69 may further include a set of secondary inductive couplers 34A
aligning with the upstream set of primary inductive couplers 30A of
the casing 20. The multilateral secondary inductive coupler 34A may
be communicably coupled to the active FCD 66 and sensor 68 via a
multilateral cable 67. The multilateral cable 67 may provide access
to communication, power, or both, as needed. The multilateral
secondary inductive coupler 34A of the liner 69 and corresponding
upper primary inductive couplers 30A of the casing 20 may
ultimately communicably couple the active FCD 66 and sensor 68 of
the multilateral branch section 16 via the single common cable 24
to the surface device 5.
[0037] Hydrocarbons produced in either the multilateral branch
section 16 and/or the lower mother bore section 14 may be combined
to flow to the surface via production tubing 22 provided in the
casing 20 and located in the upper mother bore section 12. The
production tubing 22 may be run in and sealingly coupled to the
casing 20 via tubing packers 23.
[0038] Referring generally to FIG. 2, this drawing illustrates
another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, a well
system 200 may comprise an upper mother bore section 12, a lower
mother bore section 14 and a single multilateral branch section 16.
As with the previous illustrative embodiment, only one multilateral
branch section 16 is shown in order to simplify the detailed
description.
[0039] In this exemplary embodiment, two communications and/or
power cables configured to be communicably coupled to a surface
device 6 may be run along with casing 20. Although the cables may
be described as being configured to be communicably coupled to the
surface device 6, it should be recognized that the cables may
comprise one or more sections of cable coupled together and may
include one or more wireless sections. A first cable 27 may extend
along the exterior of the casing 20 and be communicably coupled
with the upper primary inductive coupler 30A. A second cable 28 may
extend along the exterior of the casing 20 and be communicably
coupled with the lower primary inductive coupler 30B. The use of
individual cables coupled to corresponding primary inductive
couplers may provide for more robust and reliable connections to
each set of primary inductive couplers 30A and 30B along with an
increased capacity for passage of communication or power. Further,
a failure of one of the first and second cables 27 and 28 would not
necessarily result in a complete loss of communication and control
to all of the various completion sections.
[0040] A lower mother bore completion 240 including a lower
secondary inductive coupler 34B, screens 42, isolation packers 44,
active FCDs 46, and a sensors 48 may be run below the multilateral
branch section 16 and extend beyond the cemented casing 20 into the
lower open hole bore 50. The lower mother bore completion 240 is
shown as compartmentalized into two zones. The first zone
(upstream, nearest to the multilateral junction) may comprise a
screen 42 and active FCD 46. The second zone (downstream of the
first zone) may comprise a screen 42, active FCD 46, and sensor 48.
In some cases, downhole energy storage devices (e.g., batteries,
capacitors, resilient members, among others) will provide operating
power for actuating a valve or other form of FCD for example, or
for operating another downhole component based on a signal
communicated via the inductive couplers. In other cases, downhole
energy storage devices will provide power for sensors used to
measure various well parameters.
[0041] The active FCDs 46 and sensor 48 may be communicably coupled
to the lower secondary inductive coupler 34B via a lower mother
bore cable 47. The lower mother bore cable 47 may provide access to
communication, power, or both, for the active FCDs 46 and sensor 48
as needed. The primary and corresponding secondary inductive
couplers 30B and 34B of the downstream set of inductive couplers
may ultimately communicably couple the active FCDs 46 and sensor 48
via the cable 28 to the surface device 6. The multilateral section
16 may be ultimately communicably coupled via the cable 26 to the
surface device 6.
[0042] Turning now to FIG. 3, this drawing illustrates another
embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, a well system
300 may comprise an upper mother bore section 12, a lower mother
bore section 14 and a single multilateral branch section 16. In
this illustrative embodiment, a communications and/or power cable
324 configured to be communicably coupled to a surface device 5 may
be located along the outside of the production tubing 322. The
single common cable 324 may extend along the exterior of the
production tubing 322 and be communicably coupled with one or more
main secondary inductive couplers 84. Only one main secondary
inductive coupler 84 is shown in the figure. The cable 324 and the
one or more main secondary inductive couplers 84 may be run in
along with the production tubing 322.
[0043] The main secondary inductive coupler 84 may be communicably
coupled with a main primary inductive coupler 80 located on the
exterior of the casing 320. The main secondary inductive coupler 84
may be communicably coupled with the surface device 5 via the cable
324 and electronic control module 325. The electronic control
module 325 may be configured to interpret and route communication
and/or power to the various devices located in the well system. In
addition, the electronic control module 325 may be responsible for
collecting the raw data from the sensors and active FCDs and
placing the data in a proper format for transmission to the surface
device 5. The main primary inductive coupler 80, electronic control
module 325, and other primary inductive couplers and cables may be
run in along with the casing 320 and cemented in place.
[0044] The main primary inductive coupler 80 may be communicably
coupled with an upper primary inductive coupler 30A and a lower
primary inductive coupler 30B via a single common cable 326. As
previously described, the upper and lower primary inductive
couplers 30A and 30B may be respectively communicably coupled with
an upper secondary inductive coupler 34A and a lower secondary
inductive coupler 34B. The upper secondary inductive coupler 34A
may further be communicably coupled with a multilateral completion
60 located in the multilateral branch section 16. The lower
secondary inductive coupler 34B may further be communicably coupled
with a lower mother bore completion 40 located in the lower mother
bore section 14.
[0045] Referring generally to FIG. 4, this drawing illustrates
another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, a well
system 400 may comprise an upper mother bore section 12, a lower
mother bore section 14 and a single multilateral branch section 16.
In this illustrative embodiment, a communications and/or power
cable 324 configured to be communicably coupled to the surface
device 5 may be run along the outside of the production tubing 322.
A single common cable 324 may extend along the exterior of the
production tubing 322 and be connected to one or more main
secondary inductive couplers 84. Only one main secondary inductive
coupler 84 is shown in the figure. The cable 324 and the one or
more main secondary inductive couplers 84 may be run in along with
the production tubing 322. The main secondary inductive coupler 84
may be communicably coupled with a main primary inductive coupler
480 located on the exterior of the casing 320.
[0046] The main primary inductive coupler 480 may be communicably
coupled with an upper primary inductive coupler 30A via a first
cable 427, and a lower primary inductive coupler 30B via a second
cable 428. As previously described, the upper and lower primary
inductive couplers 30A and 30B may be respectively communicably
coupled with an upper secondary inductive coupler 34A and a lower
secondary inductive coupler 34B. The upper secondary inductive
coupler 34A may further be communicably coupled with a multilateral
completion 460 located in the multilateral branch section 16. The
lower secondary inductive coupler 34B may further be communicably
coupled with a lower mother bore completion 440 located in the
lower mother bore section 14.
[0047] The upper secondary inductive coupler 34A may communicate
and/or transmit power to and from various electronic components of
the multilateral completion 460, such as active FCDs, sensors, and
energy storage devices, among others. The upper secondary inductive
coupler 34A may be communicably coupled to these electronic
components via a multilateral cable 67 and a multilateral
electronic control module 61. The multilateral electronic control
module 61 may be configured to route, format, or otherwise control
the distribution of control signals and/or power to and from the
various electronic components.
[0048] The lower secondary inductive coupler 34B may communicate
and/or transmit power to and from various electronic components of
the lower mother bore completion 440, such as active FCDs, sensors,
control modules, and energy storage devices, among others. The
lower secondary inductive coupler 34B may be communicably coupled
to these electronic components via a lower mother bore cable 47 and
a lower mother bore electronic control module 41. The lower mother
bore electronic control module 41 may be configured to route,
format, or otherwise control the distribution of control signals
and/or power to and from the various electronic components.
[0049] Turning now to FIG. 5, this drawing illustrates another
embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, a well system
500 may comprise an upper mother bore section 12, a lower mother
bore section 14, and a single multilateral branch section 16. In
this illustrative embodiment, a communications and/or power first
cable 517 is configured to be communicably coupled to a first
surface device 7 and a communications and/or power second cable 518
is configured to be communicably coupled to a second surface device
8. Both the first cable 517 and the second cable 518 may be located
along the outside of the production tubing 522 and run in hole
along with the production tubing 522.
[0050] The first cable 517 may be communicably coupled to a first
electronic control module 526 and a first main secondary inductive
coupler 584B. The first main secondary inductive coupler 584B may
be communicably coupled to a first main primary inductive coupler
580B located proximate the exterior surface of the casing 520. The
first main primary inductive coupler 580B may further be
communicably coupled to the upper primary inductive coupler 30A.
The upper primary inductive coupler 30A may further be communicably
coupled to the upper secondary inductive coupler 34A and the
various components of the multilateral completion 60.
[0051] The second cable 518 may be communicably coupled to a second
electronic control module 525 and a second main secondary inductive
coupler 584A. The second main secondary inductive coupler 584A may
be communicably coupled to a second main primary inductive coupler
580A located proximate the exterior surface of the casing 520. The
second main primary inductive coupler 580A may further be
communicably coupled to the lower primary inductive coupler 30B.
The lower primary inductive coupler 30B may further be communicably
coupled to the lower secondary inductive coupler 34B and the
various components of the lower mother bore completion 40.
[0052] Referring generally to FIGS. 6A and 6B, these drawings
illustrate exemplary steps that may be used in completing an
embodiment of a well system 600 in which the well system 600
includes at least one multilateral branch 16. In the exemplary well
system 600 shown, a main bore is initially drilled. Casing 20 with
primary inductive couplers and cables attached to the exterior of
the casing 20 may be run in hole and cemented in place. The main
bore may be separated into an upper mother bore section 12 and a
lower mother bore section 14. After cementing, the lower mother
bore section 14 may be completed with completion 40 being located
in a lower mother bore open hole 50. A deflector 641 may then be
located above the completion 40 in the casing 20 through the use of
a lower ICC 639. The multilateral branch section 16 may then be
drilled.
[0053] After drilling, the multilateral branch section 16 may be
completed with completion 60 being run into the multilateral branch
section open hole 70. A liner 669 may be at least partially located
above the completion 60 in the casing 20 through the use of an
upper ICC 671. The use of ICC 639 and ICC 671 may help to align and
orient primary and secondary inductive couplers to ensure ease of
communication between the two. Of course, landings, and other
devices may be used to increase the communicative efficiency of the
primary and secondary inductive couplers, while decreasing
transmission loss. Although an embodiment of the inductive coupler
system similar to that described in FIG. 1 is shown in FIGS. 6A and
6B, any combination of the previous embodiments may be used to
establish an inductive coupling system in an embodiment of the
current invention.
[0054] After the multilateral branch section 16 is completed,
production tubing 22 may be run and located within the casing 20.
However at this point, as shown in FIG. 6A, the lower mother bore
section 14 is not in fluid communication with the upper mother bore
section 12. In order to establish fluid communication between the
upper mother bore section 12 and the lower mother bore section 14,
the liner 669 and deflector 641 may be perforated 653. Of course,
in some embodiments the liner 669 may be perforated prior to
running in production tubing 22. As shown in FIG. 6B, perforating
the liner 669 and deflector 641 may open fluid pathways between the
upper mother bore section 12 and the lower mother bore section
14.
[0055] Turning now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, these drawings illustrate
exemplary steps that may be used in completing an embodiment of a
well system 700 in which the well system 700 includes at least one
multilateral branch 16. In the exemplary well system 700 shown, an
upper mother bore section 12, a lower mother bore section 14, and
one multilateral branch section 16, are provided. To establish the
exemplary well system 700, a main bore may be initially drilled.
Casing 20 with primary inductive couplers and cables attached to
the exterior of the casing 20 may be run in hole and cemented in
place. The main bore may be separated into an upper mother bore
section 12 and a lower mother bore section 14. After cementing, the
lower mother bore section 14 may be completed with completion 40
located in a lower mother bore open hole 50. A deflector 741 may
then be located above the completion 40 in the casing 20 through
the use of a lower ICC 739. The multilateral branch section 16 may
then be drilled.
[0056] After drilling, the multilateral branch section 16 may be
completed with completion 60 extending into the multilateral branch
section open hole 70. A liner 769 may be located at least partially
above the completion 60 in the casing 20 through the use of an
upper ICC 771. The use of ICC 639 and ICC 671 may help to align and
orient primary and secondary inductive couplers to ensure ease of
communication between the two. Of course, landings, and other
devices may be used to increase the communicative efficiency of the
primary and secondary inductive couplers, while decreasing
transmission loss. Although an embodiment of the inductive coupler
system similar to that described in FIG. 1 is shown in FIGS. 7A and
7B, any combination of the previous embodiments may be used to
establish an inductive coupling system in an embodiment of the
current invention.
[0057] After the multilateral branch section 16 is completed,
production tubing 22 may be run and located within the casing 20.
However at this point, as shown in FIG. 7A, the lower mother bore
section 14 is not in fluid communication with the upper mother bore
section 12. In order to establish fluid communication between the
upper mother bore section 12 and the lower mother bore section 14,
the liner 769 and deflector 741 may be milled through 753. Of
course, in some embodiments the liner 769 may be milled through
prior to running in production tubing 22. As shown in FIG. 7B,
milling through the liner 769 and deflector 741 may open a fluid
pathway between the upper mother bore section 12 and the lower
mother bore section 14.
[0058] Referring generally to FIG. 8, this drawing illustrates an
exemplary method that may be used in completing an embodiment of a
well system 800 in which the well system 800 includes at least one
multilateral branch 16. In the well system 800 shown, a main bore
may be initially drilled. Casing 20 with primary inductive couplers
and cables attached to the exterior of the casing 20 may be run in
hole and cemented in place. The main bore may be separated into an
upper mother bore section 12 and a lower mother bore section 14.
After cementing, if needed, the lower mother bore section 14 may be
completed with completion 40 being located in a lower mother bore
open hole 50. A pre-perforated deflector 841 may be located above
the completion 40 in the casing 20 through the use of a lower ICC
839. The multilateral branch section 16 may then be drilled.
[0059] After drilling, the multilateral branch section 16 may be
completed with completion 60 extending into the multilateral branch
section open hole 70. A pre-perforated liner 869 may be located
above the completion 60 in the casing 20 through the use of an
upper ICC 871. Production tubing 22 may then be run in hole and
sealingly coupled with the casing 20. At this point, both the lower
mother bore section 14 and the multilateral branch section 16 may
be in fluid communication with each other and with the upper mother
bore section 12. Although an embodiment of the inductive coupler
system similar to that described in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 8, any
combination of the previous embodiments may be used to establish an
inductive coupling system in an embodiment of the current
invention.
[0060] While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications
and variations there from. It is intended that the appended claims
cover such modifications and variations as fall within the true
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *